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Ultrastructure of mouse blastocysts during blastocoele expansion

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Summary

The ultrastructure of mouse blastocysts with nascent and expanded blastocoele is described. In the early blastocyst cells adhere tightly and the blastocoele is often limited at its apex by cells containing a midbody. The expanding blastocyst exhibits a loose cell arrangement due to the presence of intercellular spaces and a cortical layer of filaments develops in cells enclosing the expanded blastocoele. When the blastocoele exceeds 1/2 the embryo diameter desmosomes appear between trophectoderm cells. Possible factors essential for blastocoele formation are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cytology, Zoological Institute, University of Warsaw, PL 00-927, Warsaw, Poland

    Maria Salomea Sołtyńska

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  1. Maria Salomea Sołtyńska
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Sołtyńska, M.S. Ultrastructure of mouse blastocysts during blastocoele expansion. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv 194, 425–428 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848556

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848556

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